2025-2026 Organizer Team

Anna Liang

Co-Managing Director Anna is a 2026 MBA Candidate at MIT Sloan. Prior to Sloan, Anna worked for four years in consulting, focusing on technology strategy across various industries in both Fortune 500 and non-profit initiatives. At Sloan and beyond, Anna is interested in solving problems at the intersection of consumer products and food technology.

Kanon Kobata

Co-Managing Director Kanon is a first-year PhD student in the Microbiology program. During her undergraduate studies, she majored in Food Science and Food Business, exploring emerging food tech spaces through the lenses of both technical sciences and product development. In addition to her work in the lab prototyping plant-based seafood products, Kanon placed 3rd and 1st in multiple national-level food product development competitions. After graduating from college, she spent about two years in the industry at a food tech startup, introducing herself to the cutting-edge field of microbial fermentation technology. She hopes to continue her research at the intersection of microbial biotechnology and food tech, aiming to create a sustainable food system.

Adarsh Kumar

Co-Managing Director Adarsh is a joint degree pursuing an MBA at MIT Sloan and MPP at Harvard Kennedy School. His background is in economics research at the University of Chicago and in Strategy & Operations at Mondelez, a large snacking conglomerate. He’s passionate about startups in food systems and climate. Previously, he co-founded Aloe, a social commerce platform connecting users with green businesses such as plant-based cafes and composting services. The past summer, he interned at Equator VC, a climate VC investing in early-stage climate startups in Africa, where he supported thesis development, sourcing, and due diligence in the agriculture sector.

Raeesa Rane

VP of Outreach Raeesa is a second-year MBA student at MIT Sloan. Prior to Sloan, she worked in business operations at high-growth technology companies, and earlier advised technology, media, and telecommunications clients as a consultant. She is interested in innovation across sustainable food systems and recently worked with a confectionery startup developing sustainable alternatives to chocolate. Raeesa is especially drawn to how new technologies, ingredient innovation, and storytelling can advance healthier and climate-resilient food solutions.

Camille Homa

VP of Applicant Experience Camille is a first year MBA student at Sloan. Before Sloan, she worked in scientific research and development in academia and the biotech industry. Most recently, she was a senior scientist at a biotech company focusing on synthetic biology applications. She is passionate about supporting and growing new, innovative scientific solutions to societal issues like sustainability and food insecurity.

Makeda Mekonnen

VP of Operations Makeda Mekonnen is a Sloan Fellow MBA candidate at MIT Sloan and an Ethiopian-American leader focused on transforming food systems and advancing inclusive economic growth. She brings a decade of experience in agriculture, food processing, and investment advisory across Ethiopia.

At EthioChicken, she led national operational reforms, government coordination, and customer engagement efforts that strengthened compliance, reduced site closures, expanded rural access to affordable protein, and improved farmer livelihoods. Her prior roles at the Tony Blair Institute and the UK’s Department for International Trade centered on developing agro-processing opportunities, structuring major investments, and improving the enabling environment for high-impact industries.

Makeda’s work consistently advances livelihoods, climate resilience, and community-level economic opportunity.